Chow Yat-ming appointed as Hong Kong's new Police Commissioner, succeeding Siu Chak-yee on pre-retirement leave.

Appointment of Commissioner of Police

​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, announced today (April 2) that in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law, the Central People's Government, upon his nomination and recommendation, approved the appointment of Mr Chow Yat-ming, Joe, formerly Deputy Commissioner of Police, as Commissioner of Police and the removal of Mr Siu Chak-yee from the post of Commissioner of Police. Mr Siu proceeded on pre-retirement leave today after serving the Hong Kong Police Force for 36 years.

Commenting on the appointment of Mr Chow, Mr Lee said, "Mr Chow has served in the Hong Kong Police Force for almost 30 years and has extensive experience in criminal investigation, intelligence gathering, policy-making as well as personnel management. He has a distinguished performance and possesses proven leadership skills. I am confident that he will capably lead the Police Force in meeting the challenges ahead."

Speaking on the retirement of Mr Siu, Mr Lee said, "Since taking up the appointment as Commissioner of Police in June 2021, Mr Siu has made commendable efforts in maintaining Hong Kong as one of the safest cities in the world. He has demonstrated unswerving dedication and determination to safeguarding Hong Kong and upholding the rule of law in dealing with the social unrest. During his tenure, he has also been devoted to introducing strong and effective measures to prevent deception cases and combat criminal activities. Under his eminent leadership, the Police Force has continued to excel as a world-class professional law enforcement agency. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, I convey my heartfelt appreciation to Mr Siu for his contribution to the HKSAR and wish him a happy retirement."

The following are biographical notes of Mr Siu and Mr Chow:

Mr Siu Chak-yee

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Mr Siu joined the Hong Kong Police Force in December 1988 as a Probationary Inspector. He was promoted to Chief Superintendent of Police in 2013, Assistant Commissioner of Police in 2017 and Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police in 2018. He was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Police in 2019 and took up the Commissioner of Police post in June 2021.

Mr Siu has held a variety of posts during his 36 years of service in the Police Force, responsible for crime investigations, security and operations as well as management work. He was District Commander of Kowloon City District and Chief Superintendent (Human Resources Branch) between 2013 and 2017. He was Assistant Commissioner of Police (Personnel) from January 2017 and took up the post of Director of Operations in November 2018. He served as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) between November 2019 and June 2021. He was appointed as Commissioner of Police in June 2021.

During his career in the Police Force, Mr Siu has received many awards. He was awarded five Commanding Officer's Commendations between 1995 and 2006; Commissioner's Commendation in 2006; Hong Kong Police Long Service Medal in 2006 with the first, second and third clasps in 2013, 2018 and 2021 respectively; Hong Kong Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2016 and Hong Kong Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2021; Hong Kong Police TIDERIDER Medal in 2020 and the Medal for Safeguarding National Security in 2024.

Mr Chow Yat-ming, Joe

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Mr Chow joined the Hong Kong Police Force in November 1995 as a Probationary Inspector. He was promoted to Chief Superintendent of Police in 2016, Assistant Commissioner of Police in 2020 and Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police in 2021. He was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Police in 2022.

Mr Chow has served in various posts in the Police Force, responsible for criminal investigation, intelligence gathering, policy-making as well as personnel management. He served as the Commander of Criminal Intelligence Bureau, District Commander of Yau Tsim District and the Deputy Regional Commander of Kowloon West Region between 2016 and 2020. He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in February 2020 and took charge of the Operations Wing and later the Personnel Wing. He became the Director of Personnel and Training in January 2021 and took up the office of the Director of Crime and Security in August 2021. He was appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management) in April 2022 and assumed the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) in August 2023.

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During his career in the Police Force, Mr Chow has received a number of awards. He was awarded Hong Kong Police Long Service Medal in 2013 with the first clasp in 2020; Chief Executive's Commendation for Government/Public Service and Hong Kong Police TIDERIDER Medal in 2020; and Hong Kong Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2021.

Appointment of Commissioner of Police Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Appointment of Commissioner of Police Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Appointment of Commissioner of Police Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Appointment of Commissioner of Police Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CFS to follow up certain batches of powdered infant and young children formula with possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (January 10) said that, it took initiative to meet with Nestlé Hong Kong again today, and confirmed the company's today announcement of an additional batch of powdered infant and young children formula suspected to have possibly used the raw material concerned. Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall. The CFS has collected samples of powdered infant and young children formula from the market for Bacillus cereus testing, the test results so far were satisfactory. The Environmental and Ecology Bureau is also closely monitoring the supply situation of other formula milk powder and maintaining communication with other major suppliers. It is noted that there is sufficient formula milk powder to meet the demand.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Photo source: reference image

The spokesman said, the CFS has been actively following up on Nestlé company's voluntary and precautionary recalls of certain batches of its powdered infant and young children formula in certain areas in Europe due to possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus in the individual raw material. According to the latest information from Nestlé Hong Kong today, an additional batch of its powdered infant and young children formula imported into Hong Kong might have used the raw material concerned. The CFS had earlier enhanced surveillance in the market and collected a sample from the above batch for testing of Bacillus cereus. The test result of the sample was satisfactory. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall.

Product details are as follows:

Product name (Net weight): NAN PRO 1 2 HMO (800g)

Batch number: 51670742F2

Best-before date: June 16, 2027

Place of Origin: Germany

"The CFS met Nestlé Hong Kong again today, urging them to properly handle the product recall issue and respond to public enquiries, in order to safeguard consumers' legitimate rights and interests. In addition, the CFS and Nestlé Hong Kong have jointly followed up, six suspected affected batches of infant and young children formula products that had not entered the market were marked and sealed. An additional 15 batches are currently en route to Hong Kong and will also be marked and sealed upon arrival. The CFS will continue to closely monitor the recall matters and remain fully committed to ensuring food safety, " the spokesman said.

Nestlé Hong Kong has initiated a recall of the affected batches of the products concerned. For enquiries about the recall, members of the public may contact the company through the following channels:

Consumer services hotline: 2599 8874 / 2797 6031/ 2179 8136 (Monday to Sunday, 9am to 9pm)

Email: consumerservices@hk.nestle.com

WhatsApp: 5283 4139 (NESTLÉ® NAN®) / 2599 8871 (Wyeth® Nutrition)

Online form: forms.office.com/e/BhqMhWfsUG?origin=lprLink

Consumers may choose to bring along the products (brand new or opened) for refund at place of purchase, or at exclusive service counters of Nestlé Nutrition Services from January 13 (Tuesday) onwards, to settle the recall and refund of the batches of the products concerned. Details of the exclusive service counters are as follows:

Kowloon Services Counter

Address: G/F, Park Hovan Commercial Building, 18 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (MTR Jordon Station Exit D)

Contact number: 3996 8196

Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm; Sunday, 1pm to 5.30pm (except public holidays)

Hong Kong Services Counter

Address: 1/F, Ka Nin Wah Commercial Building, 423-425 Hennessy Road, Hong Kong (MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit B)

Contact number: 3996 8197

Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm (except Sundays and public holidays)

The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted earlier that certain batches of Nestlé powdered infant formula were being voluntarily recalled in Europe due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS has immediately initiated follow up actions, published food incident posts to inform the public and the trade about the issue, and has been actively following up on the incident and enhanced surveillance.

Over the past three days (as of 4pm on January 9), the FEHD received a total of 18 food complaints and enquiries suspected to be related to the infant and young children formula products, including one anonymous complaint without contact information. The CFS and the Environmental Hygiene Branch have promptly followed up on all cases, including contacting the parties concerned to obtain details and collecting samples for testing. In addition, the CFS has referred the cases to the health department for follow-up. At present, no food poisoning cases related to the formula have been recorded.

Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced in food by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

The spokesman urged members of the public not to let infants and young children consume the affected batches of the products, and to seek medical treatment for infants or young children who felt unwell after taking the products concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately.

"The CFS continues to closely monitor the developments of the situation, follow up and take appropriate action," the spokesman said.

The infant formula of Nestlé, Photo source: online image